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Banner Image Courtesy of Kexcelled
What Is ABS Filament?
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, commonly referred to as ABS, is a petroleum-based thermoplastic polymer. It combines three monomers—acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene—to deliver a balance of toughness, rigidity, and thermal stability.
In pellet form, ABS is injection-molded into many everyday items (e.g., LEGO® bricks, automotive parts, and consumer electronics housings).
For 3D printing, ABS is extruded into spooled filament. When heated above its glass transition temperature (around 105 °C), ABS becomes pliable and can be deposited layer by layer. As it cools, it solidifies into a hard, durable object. ABS filament is ideal for parts that withstand mechanical stress, elevated temperatures, and outdoor exposure.
Key Material Properties
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~105 °C. A relatively high Tg gives ABS excellent heat resistance, allowing parts to maintain shape under elevated temperatures, but it requires a hotter build environment and can be more challenging to print.
Melting Temperature: 210 – 250 °C. ABS flows well at these higher temperatures, enabling strong interlayer bonding and toughness; however, it demands a capable hotend and careful tuning to avoid overheating and stringing.
Tensile Strength: 30 – 50 MPa. Good tensile strength makes ABS suitable for moderately load-bearing parts and functional prototypes that experience pulling forces.
Elongation at Break: ~10 – 25 %. ABS is more ductile than PLA, absorbing impact without cracking instantly; parts can flex under load before failing, which is advantageous for rugged applications.
Density: 1.02 – 1.08 g/cm³. Slightly denser than water but lighter than many engineering plastics, ABS prints are sturdy yet not excessively heavy, striking a balance between rigidity and weight.
Surface Finish: Matte with fine texture. ABS typically produces a slightly textured, matte surface. It can be post-processed—sanded, painted, or vapor-smoothed with acetone—for a glossy, injection-molded–style finish.
Pros and Cons of 3D Printing ABS Filament
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Durable parts suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components. |
Cooling stress can lead to corners lifting or layer separation without proper bed adhesion and temperature control. |
|
Maintains form up to ~90 °C, useful for automotive and electrical applications. |
Emits noticeable smell when extruded; good ventilation or an enclosed printer with filtration is recommended. |
|
Easily sanded, glued, painted, or vapor-smoothed with acetone. |
Benefits from a heated bed, build surface adhesion aids (e.g., ABS slurry, PEI sheets), and ideally an enclosed build chamber. |
|
Widely available and competitively priced compared to engineering-grade filaments. |
While less hygroscopic than some filaments, ABS can absorb moisture over time, leading to print defects if not stored properly. |
Recommended Printer Settings
|
Setting |
Recommended Range |
Notes |
|
Nozzle Temperature |
230 – 250 °C |
Start at 240 °C; tune in ±5 °C increments to balance flow and stringing. |
|
Bed Temperature |
90 – 110 °C |
100 °C is a solid baseline; higher end improves first-layer adhesion. |
|
Print Speed |
40 – 60 mm/s |
Slower speeds (40–50 mm/s) enhance layer bonding; increase for drafts. |
|
Layer Height |
0.1 – 0.3 mm |
0.2 mm offers a good trade-off between speed and detail. |
|
Retraction Distance |
1.0 – 2.5 mm |
Bowden setups toward upper end; direct‐drive toward lower end. |
|
Retraction Speed |
30 – 45 mm/s |
Tune to minimize stringing without causing jams. |
|
Cooling Fan Speed |
0 – 20 % |
Generally off; use minimal cooling (<20 %) only for small bridges. |
|
Build Plate Surface |
ABS slurry, PEI, Kapton |
Ensure a level bed and clean surface; brims or rafts help anchor corners. |
|
Enclosure |
35 – 45 °C ambient |
Maintains consistent build chamber temp; critical to prevent warping. |
Top Applications for ABS 3D Prints
Functional Prototypes
Ideal for testing fit, form, and function of mechanical parts (e.g., brackets, housings, gears). ABS’s toughness and heat resistance let prototypes withstand real-world stress tests.
End-Use Parts
Small-batch production of durable components—custom knobs, tool jigs, and fixtures—that require longevity and moderate thermal resistance.
Automotive Components
Dashboard fixtures, clips, and custom trim parts benefit from ABS’s UV stability (with additives) and vibration resistance.
Consumer Electronics Enclosures
Battery housings, remote control shells, and sensor mounts leverage ABS’s smooth finish and structural rigidity.
Educational Models
From architectural prototypes to robotics parts, ABS prints hold up under repeated handling and demonstration scenarios.
Post-Processing Projects
Artists and hobbyists use acetone vapor smoothing to achieve glossy, injection-molded-style–style finishes for cosplay props, scale models, and design studies.
Try Hi3DP FDM 3D Printing Service
Looking to skip the calibration and dial-in work?
Here’s why thousands of customers trust Hi3DP's FDM 3D printing service:
Instant Quotes & Rapid Turnaround: Upload your STL, choose ABS, and get pricing within minutes—shipped in as little as 2 business days.
Quality Assurance: Parts undergo dimensional inspection and strength testing to meet your specifications.
Custom Finishes & Assembly: Post-processing options include sanding, painting, and chemical smoothing. Assembly and kitting services are available for multi-part projects.
Global Shipping & Support: Whether you’re in North America, Europe, or Asia, we deliver reliable quality worldwide.
FAQs
Q: How do I prevent ABS prints from warping?
A: Ensure excellent bed adhesion using ABS slurry, PEI, or Kapton. Print with a heated bed at ~100 °C, maintain an enclosed chamber at 35–45 °C, and avoid drafts. Brims or rafts can also help anchor corners.
Q: Can I print ABS without an enclosure?
A: While possible, printing without enclosure increases warping risk. If you lack an enclosure, keep ambient temperature stable (e.g., print in a draft-free box) and lower print speed to improve layer bonding.
Q: What’s the best way to store ABS filament?
A: Store spools in airtight containers with desiccant packs to keep moisture below 0.1%. A dry box or resealable bag with silica gel prolongs filament life and print quality.
Q: Is ABS food-safe?
A: Most standard ABS filaments aren’t certified food-safe due to potential additives and porosity in 3D prints. If you need food-safe parts, seek specialized, FDA-approved filaments and apply a food-safe epoxy sealant.
Q: Why does my ABS print have layer separation?
A: Layer separation—or “delamination”—occurs when interlayer adhesion is insufficient. Increase nozzle temperature by 5–10 °C, reduce cooling, slow down print speed, and ensure consistent chamber temperature.
